"strong, healthy, vigorous"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Valentine
Pronunciation: [ v-AL-uhnt-eyen ]
Girl Name
#3,119 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A romantic saint's name meaning strong and vigorous
English
French
Italian
Spanish
Eastern European
Romantic
Vintage
Elegant
Bold
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"worthy, powerful"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
The Story of Valentine
Valentine derives from the Roman family name Valentinus, from valens meaning strong, vigorous, or healthy. Saint Valentine was a 3rd-century Christian martyr whose feast day on February 14th became associated with courtly love in the Middle Ages, thanks partly to Geoffrey Chaucer's poetry. While it has long been used for boys (most Valentines in history were male), it is increasingly embraced as an adventurous girl's name.
Valentine has been gaining traction as a girl's name in recent years, particularly in France where it is a popular feminine choice. In English-speaking countries, the holiday association makes it romantic and distinctive.
Valentine is celebrated as a saint's name across Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. In France, Valentin and Valentine are both common given names, while in Eastern Europe Valentin is a classic masculine choice.
Fun Facts
- Saint Valentine was actually two or three different martyrs whose stories merged over time
- Valentine was predominantly a male name until the 20th century holiday associations feminized it
Valentine in Other Languages
French
Valentine
German
Valentina
Italian
Valentina
Russian
Валентина
Spanish
Valentina
Famous People Named Valentine
R
Rudolph Valentino
Actor
1895
Italian-American silent film star and international sex symbol of the 1920s
S
Saint Valentine
Religious
3rd-century Christian martyr whose feast day became associated with romantic love
V
Valentine (Firefly) Fictional
Other
Character from the fantasy novel series The Chronicles of the One by Nora Roberts
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,119
- Total SSA Count
- 51
- Cultural Origins
- English French Italian Spanish Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Val
Vali
Tina
Pairs Well With
Valentine Rose
Valentine Grace
Valentine Marie
Valentine Claire
Valentine Anne
Valentine Eloise
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Valentine is also used as a boy name, ranked #2463.
View Valentine as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Valentine
What does the name Valentine mean?
"strong, healthy, vigorous" (from Latin). "worthy, powerful" (from Latin). Valentine derives from the Roman family name Valentinus, from valens meaning strong, vigorous, or healthy. Saint Valentine was a 3rd-century Christian martyr whose feast day on February 14th became associated with courtly love in the Middle Ages, thanks partly to Geoffrey Chaucer's poetry. While it has long been used for boys (most Valentines in history were male), it is increasingly embraced as an adventurous girl's name.
What is the origin of the name Valentine?
Valentine has Latin, English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Eastern European origins. In Latin, it means "strong, healthy, vigorous". In Latin, it means "worthy, powerful".
Is Valentine a boy or girl name?
Valentine is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3119. As a boy name, it is ranked #2463. Valentine is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Valentine?
Valentine is pronounced v-AL-uhnt-eyen.
How popular is the name Valentine?
Valentine is currently ranked #3119 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Valentine?
Common nicknames for Valentine include Val, Vali, and Tina.
What are good middle names for Valentine?
Popular middle name pairings include Valentine Rose, Valentine Grace, Valentine Marie, Valentine Claire, Valentine Anne, and Valentine Eloise.
What are good sibling names for Valentine?
Names that pair well with Valentine as siblings include Cecily, Beatrice, Sebastian, Jasper, Felicity, and Aurelius.
How many syllables does Valentine have?
Valentine has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Valentine a common or rare name?
Valentine is an uncommon name, ranked #3119 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Valentine
Valentine is a girl name with English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Eastern European origins . The name means "strong, healthy, vigorous" in Latin .
Is Valentine a boy or girl name? Valentine is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,119 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,463. Valentine is more commonly used as a boy name.
Valentine is currently ranked #3,119 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Valentine has 3 syllables and is pronounced v-AL-uhnt-eyen, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Valentine include Val, Vali, and Tina. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Valentine include Valentina, Valerie, Valeria, Valery, Valencia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.